Togo has not yet signed or ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). However, there have been some recent optimistic signs that the Togolese Government might be willing to accede to the Rome Statute soon. Notably, for the past two years, Togo has attended the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC in The Hague as observers. With the recent appointment of Edem Kodjo – a well-known international diplomat and human rights supporter – as Prime Minister, there is hope that the present Togolese government will be quicker in taking initiatives that will facilitate Togo’s accession to the Rome Statute. In addition, the growing national political dialogue now in Togo, which is aimed at finding a lasting solution to past 15 years instability suffered by the Togolese, is another encouraging sign given that the “fight against impunity” is one of the key talking points on this agenda.

The Coalition for the International Criminal Court and its members are now calling on Togo to take a step forward in its commitment to international justice and accede to the Rome Statute of the ICC as soon as possible.

The Rome Statute came into force in July 2002 and now has the support of more than half of the world's nations. With Mexico's ratification in October 2005, the symbolic milestone of the 100th ratification was reached.

Take Action Now!
Support CICC’s appeal by sending letters by mail, email and/or fax urging the Government of Togo to accede to the Rome Statute and implement it into national law.

You might like to use the sample letter below as a guide. Sample letters are available below in French and English, but we ask you to send your letter in French to the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

At a time when the International Criminal Court (ICC) is moving forward in its crucial work to end impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes with its first three cases in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, I am writing to urge you to ensure that Togo supports this new and vital system of international justice by acceding to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as soon as possible.

The Rome Statute came into force in July 2002 and now has the support of more than half of the world’s nations. With Mexico’s ratification on 28 October 2005, a historic new benchmark of 100 states have now acceded to or ratified the treaty and 139 are signatories. The new system of international justice represented by the International Criminal Court is an important tool that will ensure that the most serious violations of human rights will no longer go unpunished.

I welcome the recent engagement of your country with the ICC, which has been reflected in Togo’s participation, as observers, in the last two sessions of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC in The Hague in 2004 and 2005. In addition, the growing national political dialogue now in Togo, which is aimed at finding a lasting solution to past 15 years instability suffered by your country, is another encouraging sign given that the “fight against impunity” is one of the key talking points on this agenda. I hope, therefore, that you will make this willingness to fight impunity a reality by accessing to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as soon as possible